Conservation Easements

(Last Updated October 2005)

MRC maintains an existing ten-mile long, 225-acre, conservation easement of un-harvested mature second growth with Save-the-Redwoods League along the Navarro River. In December of 2000, MRC completed its first conservation easement a "forever wild" protection of 90 acres of mature redwood forest in the town of Comptche, California. In 2005, an additional 515 acres was forever protected with two separate "forever wild" conservation easements in Willow Creek, Sonoma County. The company is evaluating easement strategies for larger portions of its ownership to ensure permanent protection of Old Growth, oak woodlands, pygmy forest, and other special habitats. MRC is also evaluating "working forest" conservation easements to ensure light touch, restoration, and exemplary forestry practices near stream zones throughout the property. These easements could potentially ensure the creation and maintenance of optimal ecological conditions in the stream zones for fish and wildlife (e.g., sufficient shading to maintain optimal water temperature, large downed wood which is needed to create fish habitat).